The Commonwealth Scholarships 2027–2028 are offering Pakistani students the opportunity to pursue fully supported Master’s and PhD studies at universities in the United Kingdom.
Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and administered by the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), the programme is available to applicants from eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries, including Pakistan.
The scholarships cover major study costs, including approved tuition fees, international travel and living expenses. PhD scholars can receive a monthly stipend of £2,000, along with other allowances available under the programme’s terms.
Applications for the 2027–2028 academic year will open on September 8, 2026, and close on October 20, 2026, at 16:00 BST.
Commonwealth Scholarship 2027 Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship | Commonwealth Scholarships 2027 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Study levels | Master’s and PhD |
| Funding body | UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office |
| Administrator | Commonwealth Scholarship Commission |
| PhD monthly stipend | £2,000 |
| Tuition fees | Covered |
| Travel | Covered |
| Eligible countries | Eligible low- and middle-income Commonwealth countries, including Pakistan |
| Applications open | September 8, 2026 |
| Application deadline | October 20, 2026 |
Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship 2027
The Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship is designed for students seeking admission to eligible full-time taught Master’s programmes in the UK.
Successful applicants receive funding for approved tuition fees and return airfare between their home country and the United Kingdom.
The award also provides a monthly living allowance and a study travel grant for approved academic travel.
Additional family allowances may be available to eligible scholars who are widowed, divorced or single parents, subject to the scholarship conditions.
The programme does not fund MBA programmes or research-based master’s degrees.
Commonwealth PhD Scholarship 2027
The Commonwealth PhD Scholarship supports candidates pursuing doctoral research with an emphasis on development-related impact.
Funding includes approved tuition fees, return air travel, living expenses and study travel support.
Eligible PhD scholars may also receive financial assistance for approved overseas fieldwork and a mid-term visit to their home country, subject to the applicable conditions.
What Does the Commonwealth Scholarship Cover?
The Commonwealth Scholarship provides financial assistance across several major areas of postgraduate study in the UK.
For eligible programmes, the award covers approved tuition fees and international travel, including the return journey after the scholarship period.
Scholars also receive a monthly living allowance to help meet day-to-day expenses during their studies. A study travel grant is available for approved academic travel.
Additional family support may be provided to eligible candidates who meet the relevant requirements. PhD scholars can also receive research-related assistance for approved fieldwork and other academic activities.
Documents Required
Applicants should prepare the required supporting documents before submitting their applications. These may include:
- Academic transcripts
- Degree certificates
- Study plan or research proposal
- Recommendation letters
- Personal statement
- Other supporting documents required by the scholarship
Applicants should ensure that all documents meet the CSC and nominating agency requirements before submission.
Commonwealth Scholarship Eligibility
Applicants must be citizens of an eligible Commonwealth country, including Pakistan.
Candidates are expected to demonstrate strong academic performance and explain how their proposed programme or research could contribute to development in their home country.
Master’s applicants must apply for an eligible full-time taught Master’s programme, while PhD candidates must meet the academic requirements for doctoral study.
PhD applicants are required to hold a first degree equivalent to at least an upper second-class honours degree. Candidates with a lower second-class degree may also qualify if they hold a relevant postgraduate qualification, generally a master’s degree.
English Language Requirements
| Test | Minimum score |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5 |
| TOEFL iBT | 92 |
| PTE Academic | 62 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 176 |
| Cambridge C2 Proficiency | 176 |
| Duolingo English Test | 115 |
Applicants should also check the specific English language requirements of their chosen UK university, as university admission requirements may differ from scholarship requirements.
Opportunities for Pakistani Students
For Pakistani students, the Commonwealth Scholarships offer a route to postgraduate study in the UK without having to bear the full cost of tuition, international travel and living expenses.
The programme can also provide scholars with access to advanced academic training, research opportunities and connections with institutions and researchers from across the Commonwealth.
A key objective of the programme is to enable scholars to apply the knowledge and skills gained during their studies toward development in their home countries and communities.
How to Apply for Commonwealth Scholarship 2027
Applicants cannot submit an application directly to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission.
Candidates must apply through the CSC online application system and obtain a nomination from an approved nominating agency.
For the 2027–2028 academic year, the application window will open on September 8, 2026.
The final deadline is October 20, 2026, at 16:00 BST.
Pakistani applicants should prepare their academic documents, references, personal statement and study or research plans well before the deadline to avoid delays during the application process.
